Allen c



A. C. ALL AN.

PLIERS, WRENCH, AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, I919 Patented Apr 27, 1920 imizzl U ITED STATES PA ENT, F ICE... ALLEN c. am e I PLIERS, wnn'ncn, AND THE'LIKE. 1

To all whomiz't'may concern: I

Be it known that I, ALLEN C. ALLAN, a citizen of 'theUnited States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pliers, Wrenches, and

the like, of which cation. 7

My invention'relates to a new andimthe following is a specifiproved style of pliers, wrenches, and similar tools, adapted for use with articles of various sizes and shapes and particularly designed for quick and proper application thereto, the novel devices being what might be termed semi-automatic 111 that thelr constructions greatly assist in their rapid and accurate association with the body to be grasped. A further feature of the invention is the provision of an appliance of this type having a large range or degree of opening between its jaws, thus adapting it to bodies of greatly differing dimensions without unduly changing the position of the handle elements leaving them always in proper and suitable relation for grasping with the hand.

Thus there is'provided an adjustable tool having work-engaging jaws variable in their degree or extent of separation with a retention of the handles in much the same angular position or separation apart throughout the extent of adjustment of the jaws.

An additional object of the invention is the production of a device of this character composed of few and simple parts, which will firmly and securely grip bodies of different dimensions or'sizes, which is stron and unlikely to be broken in service, ano

which can be properly and quickly appliedto the body to be turned, the shape of the tool or appliance facilitating this action.

In order that those trained in: this art may have a full and complete understand ing of the invention, both from structural and functional standpoints, I have illustrated a desirable and preferred embodiment of the invention in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and to which reference should be had in connection with the following detailed description.

In this drawing the single figure shows a face view of the improved and novel tool.

Referring to the drawing, it will be perceived that the tool or appliance comprises merely two associated or crossed levers 10 and 11, the former being slotted at 12 for immin- Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apn Application filed May 19, 1919. SeriaI No. 298,112. i"

the extension of the latter therethrough. The lower'portion of lever 10 is curved at 13, to form a handle of convenient shape, and the upperlendl extends laterally at sub-co stantially right-angles to the length of the. Y main body of the lever, being provided at one side of its end witha flat or plain work ing surface or jaw face 15 which may be roughened in the customary way, if desired" As is fully shown, the curved edge portion .16 at the inner face of the bend in the arm is equipped with teeth to form one eleme of a pipe-wrench. The companion level or arm 11 has a curved handle section 17 a1 thickened end jaw portion 18 with a U work-engaging face 19 adapted to bear against the face of the body to be held directly opposite the face engaged by the surface 15 of the companion'jaw. Thus, the two faces 15 and 19 are designed to be parallel when in cooperative working relation, as shown. As is clearly illustrated, the inner edge of the upper portion of the member 11 is curved or recessed at 20 and provided with sharp. teeth, whereby this portion of the arm or lever may be used as a c'oiiperatingor companion pipe-wrench element with the part 16, all as will be readily understood.

Onepurpose of the invention is the provision of an automatically-adjustable fulcrum between the levers, whereby the jaws may correctly grip bodies of different sizes withtheir work-engaging faces'15 and 19 always parallel or their curved pipe wrench surfaces in proper cooperative relation and their handle portions a suitable distance apart for easy and effective grasping. The corner 21 of the lower end wall of the slot 12 constitutes one of the fulcrum elements and the edge 22 of the lever 11 is so shaped or curved that for all sizes of nuts, bolts. and the like between the jaws, with the face 19 parallel to the surface 15, or with different sizes of pipes grasped by the pipewrench part of the tool, the two elements 21 and 22 will be in contact or hearing relation. It will be clear, therefore, that the effective fulcrum automatically shifts or changes position to maintain the parts in the desired correlation with the handle elements 13 and 17 a suitable and convenient distance apart for efficient action. Total separation'of the two members is prevented by the thicker handle portion 17 and the jaw V 18 of increased thickness, neither of whitfir j j s can pass through the slot 12. In anufacturing the appli nce the member is drop-forged with the side-walls of the slot 12 separated sufliciently for the passage of the head 18 therethrough, and after assembly of the two parts these separated walls are flattened out preventing disconnection of the two elements.

In operation, the tool can be applied and used with one hand. The jaws are opened up and the face applied to the nut or other body and then the other jaw member slid through slot 12 until its surface 19 engagesthe opposite face of the nut and the jaw as a whole is in register with the other jaw, such engagement automatically bring-- ing the edge 22 into contact with the wall 1, thereby providing a suitable and properly-positioned fulcrum for the work to be done.- Then by pressing or squeezing the two handles toward one another by the hand which grasps them, the nut is firmly and securely held and maybe turned or rotated with ease and facility.

In case it is desired to grip or turn nuts larger than can be easily accommodated between the two jaws directly in the manner specified, the pipe-wrench portion of the tool may be applied to the nut which gives an effective and non-slipping hold on such body and such an employment of the pipewrench part of the appliance increases the capacity or range of work of the tool.

In some cases it is desirable not only to guide the jaw end 18 of the lever or operating element 11, but also to give it a sliding bearing on the complementary lever to as sist in securing and maintaining the most effective hold on the body to be manipulated whether it is held between the jaw faces 15 and 19 or grasped by the roughened curved pipe-wrench sections 16 and 20. Accordinglythe edge 24: of the member 10 is so shaped that the part 23 of the thickened jaw portion of the companion member may bear thereon and slide along it to shift the jaw face 19 or the pipe-wrench part 20 into engagement with the work. Under these circumstances, the face 19 will travel toward the opposed j aw-face, always parallel thereto, the parts 21, 22 and 23, 24 maintaining their sliding engagement. When, therefore, the aws are grasping a nut or similar body or a pipe the parts 21 and 22 and 23and 24 will be bearing upon one another and the body will be held firmly and securely.

It is to be understood that this invention is susceptible of a considerable number of incorporations in physical form varying widely in their structural characteristics but all embodying the main and underlying principles of the invention. Consequently, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited and restricted to the precise and exact features of construction illustrated and described, because these may be varied or changed within comparatively wide limits.

without departure from the substance and essence of the invention and without sacrificing any of its substantial benefits and advantages.

I claim:

A tool of the character described comprising in combination two handle elements provided at their corresponding ends with cooperating work-clamping jaws, one of said elements having a transverse slot therethrough slidingly accommodating the other handle element, the latter having a smooth curved edge to provide a sliding adjustable fulcrum bearing on the end wall of said slot remote from said clamping jaws and having a portion adjacent to its jaw adapted to bear adjustably on an edge of said companion handle element, whereby when the jaws clamp a body between them both of said bearings of said handle element on the companion handle element will be operative, substantially as described.

ALLEN C. ALLAN. 

